Paper-feeding machine



10 sheets-sheet 1.

(No Model.)

0.1).MATT1S0N.

PAPER FBEDING MACHINE.

No. 600,736. Patented Mar. 15,1898.

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(NoModel.) 1o sheets-sheen 2.

C. D. MATTISON. y' I VPAPER PBEDING MACHINE. 10.600,736. Patented Mar. 15,1898.

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(No Model.) 1o sheets-Sheena G. D. MATTISON.

PAPER FEBDING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. 15, 1898.

(No Model.) 10 Sheetsf-Sheet 4..

C. D. MATTISON. PAPER FBBDING MACHINE.

No. 600,736. Patentedmar. 15,1898.

ll/HIHHHHHHHHHH l l H v/ 8 10 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(Hommel.)

. C.. D. MATTISON. PAPER PEBDING MACHINE.

No. 600,736. Patented Mar, 15,1898.

(lNo Model.) 10 Sheets- Sheet 6.

0.1).,MATTIS0N- PAPER PEBDING MACHINE.

No. 600,736. Y Patented Mar. 15,1898.'

@x l\ @A WITNESSES: INVENTOR @WL @am Mgm t l @m4 10 Sheets-Sheet 7.

(No Model.)

C D MATTISON PAPER SEEDING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. l5, 1898.

me Nonms Pneus co, Pnomu'mo.. wAsNmmo n c (No Model.) I0 Sheets-Sheet 8. C D MATTISON PAPER PEEDING MACHINE.

No. 600,736. Patented Mar.415,1898

` INVENTOR wlTN asses #WL W (No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet' 9.

C. D. MAT'TISON. PAPER FBEDING MACHINE.

No. 600,736. Patented Mar..15,v1898.

AT RNEYS (No Model.)

C D MATTISON PAPER FBBDING MACHINE.

No. 600,736. Patented Maf'. 15, 1898.

INVENTU'R BY/m ATT

mwlll'lI HMIHHH-l-f f cmmm' i rTn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SCIAIARLES D. MATTISON, OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NEV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT M. DONALDSON, OF GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT.

PAPER-FEEDING MACHINE.

\ SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,736, dated March 15, 1898.

Application filed April 7, 1897. Serial No. 631,163. (No model.)

To au whom t may concern,.-

Beit known that I, CHARLES D. MATTIsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hasbrouck IIeightsjn the county of Bergen,in the State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Feeders for Printing-Presses, dac., of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to that class of paperfeeding machines designed to separate and feed successive sheets from a pile to a printing-machine, ruling-machine, or other inachine operating upon the paper.

My invention relates, first, to means for rolling orstripping the successive sheets from the pile, separating-and starting the sheet at one edge of the pile, and rolling it over toward the opposite edge of the pile. To accomplish this, I provide a traveling rotatable feeder-roll having means for engaging a sheet at one edge and adapted to travel and rotate toward the opposite edge for rolling or stripping the sheet from the pile and delivering it to suitable feeding-off mechanism. The feeder -roll is preferably in the form of a pneumatic separator-roll having means for exhausting the air from it and a cooperating auxiliary feed-roll Working in peripheral contact with the separator-roll to assist the feeding action.

The invention relates,secondly,to the novel form of pneumatic separating and feeding roll, the roll being constructed with a suction chamber or compartment having valved communication with the interior of the roll and also valved communication with the eX- terior atmosphere, suitable devices being arranged to cooperate with the roll for operating the valves at the proper moments'to produce the desired results. Y

My invention relates, thirdly, to improvements in a traveling sheet-support which is adapted to receive the sheets from the separatin g feed-roll and transfer them to endless tapes or belts which carry them off from the feeder and deliver them to the printing-press or other machine which is ready to receive them.

My invention relates, fourthly, to improved mechanism for effecting the combined reciprocating and rotating motion of the feed-roll, such mechanism comprising differential gears secured to the feed-roll and stationary and movable rack-bars meshing with the respective gears upon the feed-rolls.

Myinvention relates, lastly, to suitable automatically-controlled table-elevating mechthe pawl that it will hold it out of operative engagement with the pawl-operating devices, except at such times when the surface of the paper is below the proper level.

In order that myinvention may be fully understood, I will first describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings and then point out the novelty with more particularity in the annexed claims.

In said drawings, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 3aL are diagrammatic views representingfthe feeding action of my improved machine. Fig. 4t is an end elevation of my improved machine. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of one side of the machine. Fig. 6 is a sectional plan View of the opposite side of the machine, the view being reversed with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. '7 is an inside sectional elevation taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a similar view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6. Figs. 9 and l0 are detail sectional views showing the separating feed-roll and suction -controlling valvesin several positions. Fig. l1 is an end elevation of the separator feed-roll. Fig. 12 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of the feed-roll, taken on line 12 12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 12L is a detail plan view of one of the suctionopenings of the feed-roll. verse sectional view taken on the line 13 13 of Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a detail longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 14 14 of Fig. 13. Fig. l5 is a detail side elevation of the automatically-controlled paper-elevatin g mechanism. Fig. 16 isadetail of part of the same.

It will be observed that I have shown only the parts of the feeding-machine and have lnot undertaken to represent its connection with the printing-press or other machine to which the sheets are to be fed; but it will be understood that my improved feeder may be built to form a part of a printing-press or other machine, or may be built as a separate machine.

Fig. 13 is a'trans- IOO 1 is a vertically-adjustable pile-supporting table or platform mounted in the usual way between the upright standards 2 2. The platform or table l has secured to it threaded lugs or nuts in which operate the vertical table-elevating screws 3 3, which are journaled in the standards 2 in any suitable manner and have keyed to their upper ends the beveled gears 4, (represented by dotted lines.) Extending across the top of the standards 2 is a rotary shaft 5, carrying beveled gears 6, which mesh with the gears 4 on the screws 3. These parts are also shown byidotted lines.

is a papersupporting truck having wheels 11, and 12 represents the pile of sheets upon the truck 10.

13 represents tracks upon the table or platform 1, upon which the truck 10 is run into position beneath the feeding mechanism, which will now be described.

15 and 16 are horizontally-extending side frames suitably secured to the standards 2 and rigidly braced by means of the transverse rods and shafts of the feeder, hereinafter referred to. The inner faces of the said frames 15 and 16 are formed with dovetailed guideways or tracks 17, in which slide the dovetailed side frames 18 and 19 of the carriage. 2O represents shims or gibs engaging the side frames 1S and 19 and adj ustably held in place by means of the tap-bolts 21. 22 is a port or opening in side frame 16, and 23 is a suctionpipe leading from the port 22 to a suitable air-exhausting pump. (Not shown.) The inner face of the side frame 19 of the car-' riage is hollowed out, to form exhaust-cavity 25, which is adapted to register with exhaust-port 22 during a portion of the stroke of the carriage for the purpose hereinafter explained.

is my improved pneumatic separating feed-roll, formed with a solid journal 31 and the hollow journal 32, which are respectively journaled in the side frames 1S and 19 of the carriage. It will be observed that the hollow journal 32 is in open communication with the cavity 25 of the side frame 19. j The separating feed-roll constitutes an exhaust-chamber formed with a suction-compartment 35 within its periphery and extending from end to end. The suction-compartment 35 communicates with the exhaustchamber or interior of the feed-roll through a port or passage 36, which is controlled by a flap or plate valve 37, pivoted at 38 to one side of the port or passage.

39 are arms projecting up from the sides of the port or passage 36, and 40 is a rockshaft journaled on the arms 39 and in the bearing 41, formed in the head of the separator-roll. l The rock-shaft 40 extends from one end of the roll to a point a little past its longitudinal center.

is a rock-arm keyed to the rock-shaft 40 between arms 39 and having journaled in its lower end an antifriction-roll 46, which is adapted to bear upon the top of the valvethe valve by the engagement-1101146 of arm 45.

The suction-compartment 35 of the feedroll has a port or passage 50 leading from one end to the exterior atmosphere, which port or passage is controlled by a rotary dampervalve 51, provided with a spiral. spring 52, surrounding its central pivot-pin 54, for confining it to its seat. By the opening of valve 51 airis admitted to the exhaust-chamber 35 and the suction upon the paper is broken.

In a longitudinal line in the periphery of the feed-roll and bottom of the suction-compartment is formed a series of suction cups or recesses which communicate with the interior of the suction-compartment. These suction-cups are shown at 55, having an edging 56 of soft rubber, leather, or other compressible material, and an opening 57, communicating with the suction-compartment.

It will be observed that the opening 57 is of smaller area than the suction cup or recess for the purpose of creating a more effective suction.

60 is a curved rock-arm secured to the end of the rock-shaft 40 and curving around the hollow journal 32 of the roll and formed with a bifurcated or forked lower end 6l, one arm of which forked or bifurcated end is longer than the other for the purpose which will appear.

62 is a pin projecting from the face of the rotary valve-plate 51 in proper position to be engaged by the bifurcated lower end of rockarm 60. By rocking the shaft 40 arm GO will cause the valve 51 to be opened and closed. The opening and closing action of the valve 51 is clearly represented in Figs. 9, 10, and 11, the pin 62 remaining in engagement with the bifurcated end of rock-arm 60 long enough to give the required rotation to the valve when the shorter arm of the bifurcated end 61 slips past the pin 62 and allows the rockarm 60 toy move freely without interfering with the movement of the rock-shaft 40 in effecting the opening of the valve 37. Valve 37 is forced open by the rush of air fromV the suction-compartment 35 into the interior of the roll. Vhen the rock-shaft 40 is moved in the opposite direction for causing the closing of valve 37 the longer arm of the forked end 61 of rock-arm60 will be brought into engagement with pin 62 and cause the rotation of valve 51 into open position. Valve 51 is represented in open position in Fig. 11.

IOO

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65 is a trip-arm secured to the outer end of 68 is an adjustable stop-pin seated in the rock-arm 60 and adapted to engage the hollow journal 32 for limiting the motion of the rock-arm in one direction.

In addition lto being j ournaled in the traveling carriage the feed-roll 30 is provided With cog-gears and 71, the gear '70 being integral with one head of the roll, while the gear 71 is keyed to the journal 31. These gears 70 and 71 are in constant mesh with the rack-bars 72 and 7 3, which are secured to the inner faces of the side frames 15 and 16, and it will be observed that by reason of the engagement of said gears with the rack-bars `the feed-roll is caused to rotate as it reciprocates or travels over the pile of sheets.

To cause the feed-roll to travel over the surface of the pile of sheets, I provide a gear 75 upon the journal 31 of smaller diameter than the gear 71, and meshing with this gear 75 I provide a reciprocating rack-bar 7 6,

which is secured to a dovetailed slide 77,

which reciprocates in the dovetailed guidegroove 7S, formed in the inner face of side frame 15. To effect the reciprocation of the sliding rack 76, I provide a rotary crank upon the end of a shaft 81 and connect the crank 80 with sliding rack 7 6 by means of a pitman 82. The short shaft 81 is journaled in suitable bearings 83 and 84 of the machine-frame and is provided between its bearings with a worm-gear 85, loosely journaled upon the shaft and meshing with a worm 87, keyed to the upper end of the power-shaft 88.

S9 is any suitable form of clutch adapted to positively clutch the gear 85 upon the shaft 81 for causing the operation of the feeding mechanism.

is the squared end of shaft 81, adapted to receive a crank to enable the operation or change in position of the machine-table and other working parts without power.`

are arms extending up from the carriage side frames 1S and 19.

96 are slots in said arms, in which are adjustably mounted the journal-bolts 97, upon which are freely journaled the rock-arms 98. Secured in the ends of rock-arms 98 and extending from side to side of the machine is a' shaft 99, upon which are freely journaled the cooperating auxiliary feed rolls or rollers 100, which operate in peripheral contact with the feed-roll and assist in the feeding operation.

101 are stationary arms having inclined forward ends which are adapted to engage beneath shaft 99 as the carriage nears the rear part of its stroke and raise the auxiliary feedrolls 100 out of contact with the feed-roll 30. Extending between the said side frames 18 and 19 of the carriage is a rod or bar 105, upon which is supported a stripping-plate 106, the edge of which rests very closely to the -periphery of the separating feed-rolland is adapted to direct the edge of the sheet away from the feed-roll to the traveling sheet-support, which I will now describe.

110 represents a number of parallel cords,

wires, or tapes which have their forward ends secured to the rod or bar and extend therefrom over a guide roll 111, which is mounted in stationary journals. The ends of the cords or tapes pass from the guideroll 111 around a winding-roll 112, which in turn"is provided with a cord 113 and weight 114;. By reason of this construction it willbe observed that the weight 114 will wind the slack of cords 110 upon the roll 112 when the carriage is moving toward the guide-roll 111, and that said weight will allow the slack of the cords 110 to be again unwound when the carriage moves in the opposite direction. I sometimes modify this construction by doing away with the guide-roll 111, as shown in Fig. 3a. In this form the cords 110 are wound directly upon a long roll 1121which is supported in the position of roll 111 of the form 'shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, said roll 112 having a portion 1121), of reduced diameter, at one end, around which the Weighted cord 113 is wound. In this arrangement the cords 110 will be wound and unwound at a greater speed than the weighted cord and the weight will not move through as great a space as in the arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2,`and 3. This is a very satisfactory arrangement.

Operating in conjunction with the movable sheet-supports 110 I provide feeding-off tapes 115, which are supported upon suitable pulleys and adapted to be driven at approximately the same speed as the movement of the feed-roll 30 and sheet-supporting cords .110. I term the sheet-supporting cords 110 the traveling transfer-sheet supports, because they transfer the slieets from the feedroll to the feeding-off tapes.

I will now describe the operation of the mechanism so far as above explained, and this explanation of the operation will be best understood by referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 9, and 10 of the drawings. In Fig. 9 the feedroll is represented at starting position, at

which point the atmospheric valve 51 is closed, while the suction-valve 37 is open, causing a strong gripping of the paper by the suctioncups. At this point it will be observed that the carriage is in position to afford free communication between the air-'exhausting mechanism and the exhaust-chamber or interior of the roll. the forward edge of the sheet around it till saidedge is carried under the auxiliary feedrolls 100, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10. At this moment the stationary stop 67 engages the triparm 65, which causes the closing of valve 37 and opening of valve 5l, thus breaking the suction upon the sheet and allowing the forward edge to pass free of the roll over the stripping-plate 106 and then onto the supporting cords or tapes 110, as shown in Fig.

2. The continued rotation and travel of the feed-roll toward the rear edge of the sheet causes the sheet to pass onto the feeding-off tapes 115, as shown in Fig.- 3. During the movement of the feeder-roll from the forward The roll being started forward rolls ICO IlO

edge of the sheet toward the opposite end it will be observed that the movable rack-bar 76 travels in the same direction as the feedroll, and this notwithstanding the fact that at the point of starting the gear of the feedroll is at the eXtreme rear end of the rack-bar. The successive relative positions of the movable rack-bar, feed-roll, and stationary rackbar are clearly represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and their particular action is due to the fact that the gears 71 and 75 are differential gears. Another important point will be notednamely, that the guideway or track 17 is inclined slightly from front to rear, making the track a little farther away from the surface of the pile at the rear than at the front, for the purpose of relieving the sheet from the pressure of the feed-roll upon the pile just before the delivery of the sheet to the feeding-off devices. Just prior to the final delivery of the sheet the auxiliary feed-rolls are lifted out of engagement with the main feedroll to allow the feeding-off tapes to complete the carrying off of the sheet. This action is effected by arms 101, which hold the auxiliary feed-rolls out of engagement with the main feed-roll during the moment of rest of the feeder-carriage between the'endof its rear stroke and the commencement of its return stroke. As soon as the carriage reaches its extreme forward position again the stop 66 engages the trip-arm 65 and again reverses the positions of the valvesthat is to say, closes the atmospheric valve 5l and opens the suction-valve 37.

I will now describe the automatically-controlled mechanism for elevating the sheetsupporting platform or table in accordance with the requirements of the feeder.

125 is a rock-shaft journaled at 126 in the side frames 15 and 16, and 127 are feeler-arms keyed to the shaft 125 and adapted to be lifted from the pile, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 15,

lout of the way of the separator-roll 30 and be brought into engagement with the surface of the paper after each sheet is removed.

128 is a ratchet-wheel keyed to the outer end of the shaft 5, and 129 is an oscillating` arm journaled upon shaft 5 and supporting the gravity-pawl 130, which is in constant engagement with the ratchet-wheel 128.

81 is a rotary-shaft having keyed to it a cam 132.

133 is a rod or bar pivoted upon the journal 134 to the oscillating arm 129 and carrying a slotted head or plate 135 at its lower end, which straddles the shaft 81 alongside of thecam 132.

136 is an antifriction-roller journaled upon the head or plate 135 and adapted to be engaged by the cam 132 for causing the longitudinal movement of rod or bar 133 for effecting the movement of the pawl 130 one stroke.

At one end of the rock-shaft 125 is keyed a guide-arm 140, to which is journaled a guideblock 141.

142 is a rod pivoted to the head 135 upon a pin 143 and extending forwardly and passing through the guide-block 141.

144 is a tappet-collar secured to the rod 142 and adapted to engage the block 141 for rocking the shaft 125 and elevating the paperfeeling fingers from the surface of the pile. The rod 142 also supports an adjustable arm 145, upon which is formed a triangular dog or detent 146, and keyed to the rock-shaft 125 is a rock-arm 147, formed with a similar dog or detent 148, and adapted to engage the detent 146 for regulating the action of the pawl-operating cam.

160 is a rock-arm keyed to rock-shaft 125, and 161 is a spring connecting said rock-arm to the machine-frame and acting against the operation of rod142, holding the guide-block 141 against the tappet 144 and throwing the feeler-fingers 127 into contact with the surface of the pile at the proper time.

The operation the table-elevating mechanism is as follows: The feeler-iingers 127 are constantly rocked into and out of contact with the pile of sheets by the operation of cam 132, the fingers being out ofcontact with the pile when the separator-roll starts at the forward edge to separate a sheet and in contact with the pile again when the separated sheet passes from the pile and roll. When the surface of the pile is at the proper level, the feeler-fingers 127 coming in contact with the pile will hold the dog or detent 148 into engagement with the dog 146, as shown in Fig. 16 in full lines, as represented in Fig. 15 in dotted lines. This will hold the rod 142 from moving back, as it has a tendency to do by reason of the gravitation of the head 135, guided upon the shaft 131. When, however, the su rface of the pile falls below the proper level, as indicated in Fig. 16, (see dotted lines,) the feeler-ingers 127 will follow the surface of the pile and cause thefshaft 125 to move sufficiently far to throw the dog 148 out of the path of dog 146, which will allow the gravitating-head 135 to follow the cam 132 and receive a full forward stroke for imparting an effective stroke to the pawl130, which will elevate the pile-sup porting table slightly. It will therefore be observed that the mechanical feeling devices hold the pawl-operating device out of effective engagement with the pawl, while the surface of the pile is at the proper level, but allow the same to move into effective engagement when the pile falls below said level.

Having thus fully described my invention, the following is what l claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a supporting-platform for a pile of sheets, of two traveling feed rolls or rollers rotating in peripheral contact, one of said rolls having means for engaging a sheet at or near one edge and adapted to separate and feed the edge of the sheets into the bite of the two feed rolls or rollers, and then release IOC IIO

the edge of the sheets to allow the sheets to pass freely from the rolls, whereby the sheets are rolled or stripped from the pile, substantially as set forth.

2. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a pile-supporting platform, of a traveling rotating separator-roll adapted to move from end to end of the platform and having means for engaging a sheet, a coperating feed-roll working in peripheral contact with the separator feed-roll, means for reciprocating and rotating the separator feedroll, and means for disengaging the sheet from the separator feed-roll at the proper time, whereby a sheet can be separated from the pile at one edge and fed between the separator-roll and cooperating feed-roller and be thereby rolled or stripped from the pile and delivered therefrom at the opposite edge of the pile, substantially as set forth.

3. In a sheet-feeding machine, ,the combination with a platform for supporting a pile of sheets, of a traveling rotatable separator feed-roll having means for engaging a sheet and adapted to roll or strip the sheet from one edge of the pile toward the opposite edge, the cooperating feed roller or rollers traveling with the separator feed-roll and in peripheral contact with it, means for disengaging the edge of the sheet from the separator feed-roll when the sheet is engaged by the coperatin g feed roller or rollers and means for supporting the sheet as it passes away from the feedrolls, as set forth.

4t. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a supporting-platform for a pile of sheets, of a traveling rotatable feed-roll having means for engaging a sheet at or near one edge and adapted to rotate with the sheet and travel toward the opposite edge of the pile, thereby rolling or stripping the sheet from the pile without sliding it on the pile, of a traveling sheet-support traveling with the feed roll and arranged to receive the sheets and support them as they pass from said feed-roll, and traveling conveyer tapes or belts moving at approximately the same speed as the sheet-support and receiving the sheets therefrom, substantially as set forth.

5. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with the sheet-supporting platform, the traveling carriage, the separator feed-roll rotatably journaled in said carriage and having means for engaging a sheet at or near its edge, a sheet-support extending from and traveling with the carriage adapted to receive the sheet from the feed-roll, and conveyer tapes or belts adapted to receive the sheets from said support and feed them off from the machine, as set forth.

6. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a platform for supporting a pile of sheets, a traveling carriage, a separator feed-roll rotatively journaled in the carriage and having means for engaging a sheet at or near one edge, a rod or bar supported upon the carriage adjacent to the feed-roll, a sheetstripping plate or flange extending from the rod or bar and supported closely to the periphery of the feed-roll, and suitable sheetsupports extending from the rod or bar onto which the sheet is fed from the feed-roll, as set forth.

7. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination witha supporting-platform fora pile of sheets, atraveling sheet-feeding carriage carrying suitable feeding devices, cords or tapes attached to and extending from the carriage toward the point of deposit of the sheets `in position to support the sheets fed from the pile, and means for holding the cords or tapes taut without interfering with the movement of the carriage, as set forth.

8. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a platform for supporting a pile of sheets, a traveling carriage, a feed-roll rotatably mounted in the carriage and adapted to engage a sheet and roll or strip it from the pile, cords or tapes attached to and extending-from the `traveling carriage toward the point of deposit of the sheets in position to support the sheet as it passes from the feedroll, and means for holding the cords or tapes taut without interfering with the movement of the carriage, as set forth.

. 9. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a platform for supporting a pile of sheets, of a traveling feeder-carriage carrying suitable feeding devices, a stationary guide', cords or tapes attached to the carriage and extending over or around said guide, and

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means for holdingthe cords or tapes yieldv ingly taut, substantially as set forth.

IO. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a platform for supportingI a pile of sheets, of a traveling feeder-carriage carrying sheet feeding devices, a stationary guide-roll, cords or tapes attached tothe carriage and extending over the guide-roll, a

winding roll or drum around which the ends of said cords or tapes are wound, and a cord and weight for keeping the slack of said cords or tapes wound upon the roll or drum, substantially as set forth.

1l. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a supporting-platform for a pile of sheets, of a traveling rotating suction feedroll, means for exhausting the air from the feed-roll, means for breaking the suction of the suction roll, and the cooperating feed roller or rollers traveling with the suction feed-roll and in peripheral contact with it; whereby the sheets can be separated from the pile at one edge and rolled or stripped therefrom toward the opposite edge, and .fed from the pile between the suction-roll and coperating feed roller or rollers, as set forth.

12. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a supporting-platform fora pile of sheets, of a traveling rotatable suction feedroll having suction-openings, the cooperating feed roller or rollers traveling in peripheral contact with the suction-roll, the suction-roll being adapted to separate one edge of the sheets from the pile and feed the same to the coperating feed-roll, means for periodically exhausting air from the suction roll, and means for supporting the sheets when they leave the feed-rolls, as set forth.

13. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a supporting-platform for a pile of sheets, of a traveling rotatable suction feedroll having suction-openings, the coperatin g feed roller or rollers traveling in peripheral contact with the suction-roll, the suction-roll being adapted to separate one edge ofthe sheets from the pile and feed the same to the cooperating feed-roll, means for periodically exhausting air from the suction-roll, means for supporting the sheets when they leave the feed-rolls, and means for periodically moving the cooperating feed-roll out of peripheral engagement with the suction feed-roll, as set forth.

14. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with the sheet-supporting platform, of a traveling feeder-carriage, a main feed-roll journaled in the carriage and having means for engaging a sheet, the coperating auxiliary feed roll or roller normally in peripheral engagement with the main feed-roll, the rockarms journaled upon the carriage and supporting a shaft or axle upon which said auxiliary feed roll or roller is journaled, and an arm or dog stationary with relation to the carriage adapted to rock the rock-arms on their journals for moving the auxiliary feed roll or roller out of engagement with the main feedroll, as set forth.

15. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a pile-supporting platform, of a traveling rotatable pneumatic feed roll formed With a longitudinally-extending Suction-compartment havin g paper-grippin g suction-openings, a port or passage communicating between said compartment and the inte- Y rior of the roll, a port or passage at the end of the suction-compartment communicating with the exterior atmosphere, valves controlling said ports or passages, and a valve-actuating device suitably connected with both valves for operating them, as set forth.

16. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a supporting-platform .for a pile of sheets, of a pneumatic feed-roll formed with a suction-compartment having papergripping suction-openings, a port or passage communicating between the suction compartment and the interior of the roll, a pivoted flap-valve closing said port or passage, a rockarm engaging the valve for closing and holding it closed, and means for automatically operating the rock-arm, as set forth.

17. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a supporting-platform for a pile of sheets, of a pneumatic feed-roll formed with a suction-compartment having paper-gripping suction-openings, a port or passage communicating between the suction compartment and the interior of the roll, a iap or plate valve pivoted to one side of said port or passage in position to close it, a rock-arm pivoted above the port or passage opposite to the pivoted side of the valve, said rock-arm engaging the top of the valve, and means for automatically operating the rock-arm, as set forth.

18. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a platform for a pile of sheets, of a pneumatic feed-roll having a suction-chamber and paper-gripping suction-openings, a port or passage communicating between said chamber and the exterior atmosphere,a rotary valve controlling said port or passage, a rockshaft, a rock-arm keyed to said shaft and engaging said valve, a trip rock-arm also keyed to said shaft, and a tripping-dog adapted to engage said trip rock-arm, as set forth.

19. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a platform for a pile of sheets, o'f a pneumatic feed-roll having a suction-chamber and paper-gripping suction-openings, a port or passage communicating between said chamber and the exterior atmosphere, a rotary valve controlling said port or passage, a

pin or lug upon said valve, a rock-arm having a bifurcated or forked end adapted to engage said pin, and means for operating the rock-arm for opening and closing the valve.

20. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a platform for a pile of sheets, of a pneumatic feed-roll having a suction-chamber and paper-gripping suction-openings, a port or passage communicating between said chamber and the exterior atmosphere, a rotary valve controlling said port or passage, a pin or lug on said valve, a rock-shaft journaled in the roll, a rock-arm on the rock-shaft hav- 4 ing a bifurcated or forked end, one of the arms of the bifurcated or forked end being longer than the other, a stop for limiting the movement of the rock-arm, and al trip-arm also on the rock-shaft, as set forth.

21. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a platform for a pile of sheets, of a pneumatic feed-roll having a suction-chamber and paper-gripping suction-openings, a port or passage communicating between said chamber and the exterior atmosphere, a valve con-trolling said port or passage, an air-pipe extending from the pneumatic roll and communicating with air-exhausting mechanism, a rock-shaft journaled in the roll, a trip-arm keyed to the rock-shaft, a curved rock-arm also keyed to the rock-shaft and adapted to project around the air-pipe and engage the valve, and a stop carried by said curved rockarm adapted to engage the air-pipe for limit.- ing the movement ofthe rock-arm and controlled valve, as set forth.

22. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of a pile-supporting platform,ofapneu matic feed-roll formed with a suction chamber or compartment having paper-gripping suction-openings and communicating with the interior of the roll through a suitable IOO IIO

port or passage, a port or passage communicating between the suction-chamber and the exterior atmosphere, valves controlling communications between the suction-chamber and interior of roll and the suction-chamber and exterior atmosphere, a rock-shaft journaled in the roll, rock-arms upon the rockshaft engaging said valves, and a trip-arm also on said rock-shaft for operating the valves simultaneously, as set forth.

23. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of a pile-supporting platform, a pneumatic feed-roll formed with a suction chamber or compartment having paper-gripping suction-openings, ports or passages communicating between the suction-chamber and interior of the feed-roll and the suction-chamber and exterior atmosphere, valves controlling said ports or passages, valve-operating mechanism and stationary dogs or stops adapted to aotuate the valve-operating mechanism for opening and closing the valves when the roll is brought into position by the movement of the roll, as set forth.

24. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of a pile-supporting platform, a frame having a track or guideway, an air-exhausting mechanism in communication with a port or passage in the track-frame, a traveling carriage mounted to run in the track or guideway and formed with a slide-valve block having a cavity in one face adapted to register with the port or passage in the track-frame, and a pneu matic feed-roll j ournaled in the carriage and having a hollow journal in communication with the cavity of the slide-valve block, as Set forth.

25. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of a pile-supporting platform, a frame having a track or -guideway extending the length of the platform, an airexhausting mechanism communicating with a port in the track or guideway, a carriage-frame sliding in the guideway, and formed with an exhaustcavity in one face adapted to register with the exhaust-port of the track, a pneumatic feedroll journaled in the carriage and having a hollow journal communicating with the exhaust-cavity of the carriage, and means for simultaneously rotating the feed-roll and moving the carriage, substantially as set forth.

26. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of a pile-supporting platform, a recprocating rotatable feed-roll provided with means for engaging sheets, a stationary rackbar, a movable rack-bar, and gears carried by the roll and meshing with said rack-bars, whereby the roll is caused to rotate and travel over the pile of sheets, substantially as set forth.

27. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a pile-supporting platform, a reciprocating pneumatic separating and feeding roll, means for exhausting air from the roll, differential gears on the roll, a stationary rack-bar meshing with one of the gears, a movable rack-bar meshing with the other tionary rack-bar secured to a suitable frame,

a traveling rotatable feed-roll having means for engaging sheets, a gear on the roll meshing with said stationary rack-bar, a reciprocating rack-bar supported in asuitable guideway in the frame, a smaller gear on the feedrollmeshin g with said reciprocating rack-bar, and means for operating the reciprocating rack-bar, as set forth.

30. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of a pile-supporting platform,a feedersupporting frame, a traveling rotatable feedroll provided with differential gears, a stationary rack-bar mounted on the feeder-frame with which the larger of the differential gears of the feed-roll is in mesh, and a reciprocating rack-bar movably supported upon the feeder-frame and meshing with the smaller of the differential gears and adapted to cause the feed-roll to travel in the same direction with it at an increased speed, substantially as set forth.

31. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of an adjustable pile-supporting table,

a table elevating mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl, a pawl-operating device, a pawl-controlling rod or bar suitably connected with the pawl and adapted to hold the pawl out of operative engagement with its operating device, a detent or dog on the controlling rod or bar, and an oscillating mechanical feeler comprising a rock-shaft,a pilegaging arm on the rock-shaft, and a regulating rock-arm on the rock-shaft having a dog or detent adapted to engage the dog or detent of the controlling-rod, as set forth.

32. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of an adjustable pile-supporting table, a table elevating mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl, a pawl-operating'device, a pawl-controlling rod or bar suitably connected with the pawl and adapted to hold the pawl out of operative engagement with its operating device, a detent or dog on the controlling rod or bar, and an oscillating me- ICO IIO

chanical feeler comprising a rock-shaft,a pilegaging arm, a detent or dog adapted to engage the detent of the controlling-rod, and a journaled guide through which the controlling-arm extends, asset forth.

CHARLES D. MATTISON. Vitncsses:

G. H. BULEK, M. E. SUTHERLAND. 

